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Espionage Droids have been the downfall of many organizations. Many makes and models of droids can become Espionage Droids, but those that have exceptional technical skills (such as R-series droids and 2-1B droids) and those that are commonly seen in the company of Humans (such as protocol droids) are prime candidate for becoming an Espionage Droid has access to sensitive materials and secure areas, and can move about freely with the trust of those who see them.

Espionage programming is usually installed in a standard droid, transforming it into an unseen foe placed in the care of the enemy. One of the unique aspects of an Espionage Droid is its capacity for growth; as part of this its programming, an Espionage Droid learns how to alter its own software, hardware, and procedure protocols to more efficiently perform its hidden duties. This is not without danger for the droid’s secret masters, however. An Espionage Droid can eventually overcome the programming that binds it to its masters, and can even take on some aspects of an assassin droid if killing might benefit its mission.

Many companies and most government intelligence divisions use Espionage Droids on a regular basis. The job of an Espionage Droid can be as simple as spying on a particular individual or group, or as complex as sabotaging equipment and machinery. Espionage Droids are employed not only to gather information and data but also to further the goals of their masters, whatever they might be.

Additionally, some independent droids benefit from espionage programming. Espionage Droids loyal to their masters have been known to save their owners from dire straights, and their freedom to make decisions other droids cannot gives them an edge not only in their versatility but also in the element of surprise.

Requirements
To qualify to become an Espionage Droid, a character must fulfill the following criteria.Skills:Computer Use 6 ranks, Gather Information 9 ranks, Hide 6 ranks, Search 6 ranksSpecies: DroidSpecial: The character must have the Locked Access and Improved Sensor Package accessories. It must have achieved enough independence to act in a way that can inconvenience or harm living beings.

Hidden Programming
Espionage Droids have a series of false trails and cover-ups to hide their secondary programming. Any character attempting to search for software that makes the droid an Espionage Droid takes a -5 penalty on all Computer Use checks to do so.

Probe
Most beings tend to ignore droids, or at least discount their importance – and Espionage Droids know how to exploit that attitude. Starting at 2nd level, the Espionage Droid can add its Espionage Droid class level to all Gather Information checks.

Hard Backup
An Espionage Droid carries and transmits valuable information on a regular basis, and one of the most harmful things that can happen to such a droid is a memory wipe. Some droids develop a means of partitioning parts of their memory so as to store a backup of their current knowledge, programming, and personality, allowing them to restore themselves after having their memory erased. Starting at 4th level, whenever the Espionage Droid has its memory erased, it may restore its own memory with a successful Computer Use check (DC 20), returning to its previous state.

Wiping a droid’s backup memory requires a DC 25 Computer Use check in addition to any other checks required to memory wipe or alter the droid. If the check is successful, the Espionage Droid cannot use this class feature.

No Restraint
Espionage Droids are able to use their limited ability to modify themselves to avoid conventional means of being controlled. The Espionage Droid alters the position of its internal hardware such that restraining bolts do not connect to any vital systems. In effect, the Espionage Droid cannot be controlled by standard restraining bolts or droid callers. The droid remains capable of reading commands issued through restraining bolts, and can voluntarily comply (to maintain the illusion that it is under control).